Joan of Arc :: History

Joan of ArcJoan of Arc is a French National Heroine who became a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church because of her great achievements. Joan was a simple kid girl who rescued France from defeat in one of the darkest periods of the Hundred years war with England. She led the French army to victory against the English and coat the way for the coronation of King Charles VII. Joan has become one of the most admired characters in European history. As France was struggling during the Hundred years war, a young peasant girl was born in the small town of Domrmy. Joan was born on January 6, 1412, which was a very unstable time for France. The English and Burgundians ruled much of the region and France was suffering. The Royal Family was weak, the King was insane and Charles the Dauphin, future King, was a coward. Total defeat was not far away. Joan was born a peasant, however, she was to bring the French new passion and succeed in driving out the English. Joan was like any other peasant gi rl in the 15th century. She could not read or write, merely she worked hard on her fathers farm and acquired her faith and prayers from her mother. In the village she was remembered as a good and simple girl. She had three brothers and a sister who died young. As a peasant, she always remained close to home and didnt even consider leaving the village until she was thirteen and had begun hearing voices. She identified the voice as that of God, telling her that she would have to perform a great task. By age sixteen, she had visions and heard the voices of Saint Margaret, Saint Michael and Saint Catherine sending her on a sacred mission. She must go to the tutelage of the Dauphin and liberate France from English domination. In 1429 Joan left her home and traveled to the court of the Dauphin. He feared her voices might be from the devil, therefore, he sent a priest to strain her. He found no harm and she at last made her way to Chinon were she would find the King. However, when she arrived, the king was hidden among courtiers and although she had never seen him before she recognized him promptly and made straight for him. The King was anxious to believe her voices and therefore he reassembled his troops and placed them under Joans command.